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What is a disadvantage of the buccal route of drug administration?
What is a disadvantage of the buccal route of drug administration?
The rectal route of drug administration is suitable for patients with vomiting.
The rectal route of drug administration is suitable for patients with vomiting.
True
What dosage forms can be administered via the rectal route?
What dosage forms can be administered via the rectal route?
Liquids (enemas), solids (suppositories), and semisolids (creams or ointments)
The area under the tongue is used for ________ absorption.
The area under the tongue is used for ________ absorption.
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Match the following routes of drug administration with their primary characteristics:
Match the following routes of drug administration with their primary characteristics:
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What is the primary purpose of a drug?
What is the primary purpose of a drug?
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The oral route of administration can only achieve local effects.
The oral route of administration can only achieve local effects.
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Name one advantage of the oral route of drug administration.
Name one advantage of the oral route of drug administration.
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The drug is absorbed from the __________ tract when administered orally.
The drug is absorbed from the __________ tract when administered orally.
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Match the following administration routes with their characteristics:
Match the following administration routes with their characteristics:
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Study Notes
Pharmacy Orientation - PT101
- Course code: PT101
- Credit hours: 1
- Lecture numbers: 4 and 5
- Department: Pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical technology
Route of Administration
- Route of administration is the path a drug, fluid, poison, or other substance is introduced into the body.
- Different routes have different effects on how quickly the drug takes effect and where it acts.
- Routes include:
- Intravenous (I.V.): Fast onset, directly into bloodstream
- Intramuscular (I.M.): Relatively fast onset, injected into muscle
- Subcutaneous (S.C.): Slower onset, injected under the skin
- Oral: Common, absorbed from gastrointestinal tract (GI tract)
- Buccal: Tablet placed in the oral cavity, for local or systemic effects
- Sublingual: Tablet/liquid under the tongue, rapid onset, used for quick-acting action
- Rectal: Drug delivered via suppository or enema, for systemic/local effects.
- Topical: Applied to skin for local effects.
- Inhalation: Inhaled into lungs, for local/systemic effects depending on the condition.
- Intrathecal: Injection into the subarachnoid space around the spinal cord for spinal anesthesia/medication target
- Intradermal: For skin testing or injections into the dermis
- Intra-arterial: Injected directly into an artery, usually for diagnostic/contrast purposes
- Transdermal: For systemically targeting/delivering medication via use of a patch
- First-pass metabolism: A liver process that can reduce drug bioavailability, impacting how effective the drug will be
Drug
- A drug is an agent used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
- For a drug to be effective, it must reach the target site (receptor) at a sufficient concentration.
- Drug action is the result of the drug being absorbed into body tissues from the administration site.
- Drug administration choices depend on factors like whether the desired action is local or system wide.
Oral Route
- Common route, used for both systemic and local effects
- Drugs are ingested as solids or liquids
- Frequently the simplest route and a safe route of administration.
- Onset is slower compared to other routes.
- Absorption from the GI tract might be irregular.
- Enzymes/secretions in GI tract can destroy some drugs.
- Drug solubility can change based on other substances within GI tract (e.g., calcium).
- Slow gastric emptying can lead to drug inactivation due to prolonged contact with gastric juices, especially in elderly patients.
- Unsuitable for patients that are vomiting or those in a state of unconsciousness.
Buccal Route
- Medications are formulated as tablets
- High vascularity of the tongue and buccal cavity along with saliva makes dissolution efficient.
- This method is highly effective.
- Tablets designed for this route deliver a rapid onset of action
Advantage of Buccal Route
- Relatively fast onset of action.
- Drugs are absorbed directly into the systemic circulation, avoiding the first-pass effect.
- Suitable for unconscious patients.
- Antiemetic drug can be given using this method.
- Short duration of action
Sublingual Route
- Absorption occurs under the tongue.
- Provides a very fast onset of action but duration is usually short.
Rectal Route
- Drugs are formulated as liquids (enemata), solids (suppositories), or semisolids (creams/ointments).
- Used for both systemic and local applications.
- Rectum's veins connect directly to the general circulation.
- Some percentage of the medication gets absorbed in the portal vein before getting sent to the systemic circulation, this may be less than 100%.
Advantages of Rectal Route
- Useful when oral route isn't appropriate (vomiting/unconscious patients/elderly/mentally impaired).
- Useful when drug causes GI irritation/can be given for local actions.
Disadvantages of Rectal Route
- Absorption can be irregular and unpredictable.
- Less convenient than the oral route and has low patient acceptability.
Vaginal Route
- Drugs are formulated as pessaries, oblong tablets, creams, and vaginal douches.
- Used for both local and systemic effects.
- Drugs absorbed by vagina are not affected by the first pass.
- High fluid content results in the rapid dissolution of drugs compared to other routes, like the rectal route.
Inhalation Route
- Drugs are inhaled through the nose or mouth for local and systemic effects.
- Primarily used for respiratory conditions.
- Drug delivery is rapidly absorbed due to the large surface area of the lungs.
Advantage of Inhalation Route
- Quick onset of action.
- Minimizes systemic side effects.
- Avoids first-pass metabolism.
Disadvantages of Inhalation Route
- Often very expensive
- Can irritate airways
- Dose limitations due to airway symptoms.
- Delivery systems can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
Topical Route
- Skin is used for administration to provide localized effects.
- Commonly used as ointments, creams, and lotions or pastes
- Specialized dosage forms (patches) allow systemic absorption (transdermal delivery).
Advantage of Topical Route
- Avoidance of first-pass metabolism
- Easy application
- Increased efficiency via lower daily dosage of the drug
- Improved patient compliance.
- Improved physiological and pharmacological response.
- Avoidance of some gastrointestinal incompatibilities
Disadvantages of Topical Route
- Possible skin irritation.
- Poor permeability of certain drugs through the skin.
- Enzymes within the skin may degrade some drugs.
- Often only suitable for use when lower plasma concentrations are required for therapeutic effects.
Parenteral Route
- Term for drugs given by injection.
Injection Techniques
- Intravenous (I.V.)
- Intramuscular (I.M.)
- Subcutaneous (S.C.)
- Intradermal (I.D.)
- Intra-arterial
- Intraspinal
Intravenous (I.V.)
- Drug injected directly into bloodstream, resulting in rapid onset.
Intramuscular (I.M.)
- Injection into muscle tissue; provides relatively fast onset but sometimes slower, prolonged action when formulated as a suspension in an oily vehicle.
Subcutaneous (S.C.)
- Injection beneath the skin; generally easier and less painful than other parenteral methods , but slower onset of action than intravenously administered injections and usually produces a prolonged effect.
Intradermal (I.D.)
- Small volumes injected between epidermis and dermis layers; used for allergy/immunology testing.
Intra-arterial
- Injection directly into artery; diagnostic purposes (X-ray contrast).
Intraspinal
- Injection into the subarachnoid space for spinal anesthesia.
Intraarticular
- Injection within the synovial fluid of a joint; for localized administration of corticosteroids/anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Description
This quiz covers the various routes of administration for drugs as discussed in the PT101 course. Students will learn about the mechanisms, onset times, and specific uses for each route, including intravenous, oral, and topical methods. Prepare to test your knowledge on how these administration methods impact drug efficacy and patient care.
